Heinz Hollenstein

Innovation Modes in the Swiss Service Sector. A Cluster Analysis Based on Firm-level Data

Abstract The aim of this paper is, firstly, to contribute to the understanding of innovation patterns in services. To this end, firms which are similar in terms of a large set of innovation indicators were grouped into clusters. For the Swiss case, it was possible to identify five clusters which exhibit clearly different configurations of a large number of innovation-related factors (appropriability, etc.) and several structural properties of firms (size, etc.). The clusters may thus be interpreted as specific “innovation modes”. Secondly, we investigated whether these modes are “economically equivalent”. In such a case, the unordered classifying of similar firms would be more appropriate than the ranking of industries according to their innovativeness. The evidence supports the classification approach quite well; however, the ranking procedure cannot be completely refuted. Finally, this paper yields some insights into the differences between the innovation patterns prevailing in services and in manufacturing.

A composite indicator of a firm's innovativeness. An empirical analysis based on survey data for Swiss manufacturing

Abstract Most empirical studies on innovative activity are based on a single (or a very small number of) indicator(s), a procedure not appropriate in view of the complexity of the innovation process. Therefore, in a perspective of ranking firms or industries according to their innovation intensity, we develop a composite measure of a firms innovativeness by using factor analysis of a whole set of innovation variables. The resulting aggregate indicator is based on the extraction of two factors depicting the technical and the market dimension in the case of product innovations; for new production techniques, the two factors refer to the input and output side of the generation of innovations. The overall measure is superior to any single innovation variable as shown by canonical correlations which make use of an empirically validated model of innovation behaviour. The composite indicator yields economically plausible results at the firm (e.g. innovation patterns) and industry levels (e.g. sensible similarities and differences of ranking according to the aggregate measure and R&D intensity, respectively). Provided similar indicators and methods are used for several countries, a composite indicator may be useful for international comparisons.

The Determinants Of The Adoption Of Advanced Manufacturing Technology

The paper investigates empirically the decision of firms to adopt ‘Advanced Manufacturing Technologies’ (AMT) based on a comprehensive specification of a ‘rank model’ of technology adoption using firm-level data for Swiss manufacturing. The explanatory variables include numerous dimensions of (anticipated) benefits from and costs of technology adoption allowing for uncertainty as well as for information and adjustment costs. Moreover, the effect of complementarities between various functional groups of AMT (design, fabrication, communication, etc.) as well as of learning from the use of previous technology vintages within such functional groups is analyzed, Finally, the size-dependence of the adoption decision is studied in detail. The model yields a quite robust pattern of explanation across estimates with different adoption variables (time period of introduction of AMT, intensity of use of AMT, etc.) with plausible differences of the results based on the alternative adoption measures used.

Industrial Innovation in Switzerland: A Model-based Analysis with Survey Data

The general objective of this study is to explain empirically the innovation behaviour of Swiss manufacturing firms, drawing on the main theoretical arguments put forward in industrial economics with respect to this subject. In this way, we hope to add to already available empirical knowledge on the innovation-generating activities of industrial firms in general and to identify the main characteristics of the Swiss pattern of innovation in particular. Comparisons with corresponding patterns in other countries might contribute significantly to a better understanding of the common as well as distinguishing aspects of innovation behaviour of private enterprises under different economic and institutional environments, a precondition for designing successfully innovation-related policy measures.

The Impact of Spillovers and Knowledge Heterogeneity on Firm Performance: Evidence from Swiss Manufacturing

This chapter explores the impact of knowledge capital (computed on the basis of firm patent counts and R&D expenditures, respectively) and patent, as well as R&D spillovers, on total factor productivity at the firm level for Swiss manufacturing in the usual setting of a Cobb-Douglas production function. We introduce spillovers from R&D or patents by constructing two types of spillover measures: one based on material flows between sectors, and the other one reflecting technological proximity at the firm level. In a further step, international R&D as well as patent spillovers from eight technologically highly developed countries are taken into consideration.

The Choice of Foreign Locations of Swiss MNEs: An Analysis Based on Firm Data

In this paper, the parent firms’ choice of FDI locations is analyzed based on a unique firm-level dataset for Swiss MNEs. The data allows a detailed characterization of parent companies, their foreign subsidiaries and the two-way trade flows between parent companies and foreign affiliates. In combination with information on the hosts regions of the FDI, the data allows to identify the factors determining the choice among nine alternative destinations. As firm-level studies are quite rare so far and, if available, are based on only few firm characteristics, this research provides substantial new insights.

Aufbau, Weiterentwicklung und Pflege des KOF/ETH-Unternehmenspanels

Im Rahmen des SPP „Zukunft der Schweiz“ (Modul Arbeitswelt) sollte ein Befragungsinstrument geschaffen werden, das eine Dauerbeobachtung des soziookonomischen Wandels im Unternehmenssektors, insbesondere hinsichtlich struktureller Veranderungen der Arbeitsnachfrage, ermoglicht. Zu diesem Zweck baute die KOF/ETHZ ein Unternehmenspanel auf, das reprasentative Aussagen fur den gesamten privaten Wirtschaftssektor erlaubt. Das Panel beruht auf einer nach Branchen und Grossenklassen geschichteten Stichprobe von anfanglich uber 7000 Firmen. Die entsprechende Adressdatei, die neben zahlreichen Strukturmerkmalen der Firmen alle fur einen reibungslosen Ablauf von Panelbefragungen (spezifische Anlaufstellen, Files zur Kontrolle der Antworten, Mahnaktion und Nichtbeantworterbefragungen, usw.) erforderlichen Daten enthalt, wurde im Laufe des Projekts regelmassig weiterentwickelt und aufdatiert. Basierend auf dieser Adressdatei wurden 1998 z.Hd. von zwei anderen Projekten des Verbunds zwei Panelbefragungen („Qualifikation“ Anfang 1998, „Internationalisierung“ Herbst 1998) durchgefuhrt. Wahrend die Rucklaufquote der ersten Erhebung nicht zu befriedigen vermochte, erzielten wir bei der zweiten ein sehr gutes Ergebnis, was unter anderem auf die in der Zwischenzeit optimierten Arbeitsablaufe und die Reduktion des Fragebogenumfangs zuruckzufuhren war. Ein Schwerpunkt der Projektarbeiten bestand aus methodischen Untersuchungen insbesondere zur „non response“-Problematik („unit“ und „item“-non- response). Ausgehend von einer Evaluation verschiedener zur Losung dieser Probleme vorgeschlagenen Ansatze wurden spezifische Verfahren ausgewahlt, EDV-massig implementiert (eigene Software-Entwicklung) und im Rahmen des zweiten von der KOF bearbeiteten SPP-Projekts eingesetzt. Es zeigte sich, dass der Einsatz solcher fortgeschrittener statistischer Techniken, mit deren Anwendung wir in der Schweiz z.T. Neuland betraten, die Qualitat deskriptiver und explikativer Analysen wesentlich verbessern kann. Die fur die Anwendung dieser Verfahren erforderlichen Software- Elemente stehen interessierten Kreisen als SAS-Makros zu Verfugung. Der im ursprunglichen Projektplan vorgesehene Aufbau einer Zeitreihendatenbank der Umfrageresultate auf Firmendaten – diese stehen z.Zt. als Serie von Querschnitts-Datensatzen zur Verfugung – musste auf Phase II des Panelprojekts verschoben werden; im Rahmen der gegebenen Ressourcen schien es uns sinnvoll, die methodischen Untersuchungen gegenuber den ursprunglichen Absichten zu forcieren. Insgesamt darf man u.E. festhalten, dass nun ein leistungsfahiges Panel zur Verfugung steht, das in Phase II des SPP in verschiedener Hinsicht weiterentwickelt werden kann (Anpassung der Stichprobe an die Betriebszahlung 1998, Zeitreihendatenbank, Durchfuhrung weiterer Panelerhebungen (auf Kosten der KOF), methodische Untersuchungen im Hinblick auf Panelschatzungen bei Vorliegen von „non response“.